ple on
the panel about this."

"All I did was have her repeat what she'd said already," Esther
squeaked, "I didn't ask the question."

Henry was not pacified by her remark. More information positive toward
Trenchant was being presented then he was willing to hear--or then he
wanted the panel to hear. He turned to Trenchant and said harshly,
"your witnesses must address the charge here. Since this witness does
not have any information directly relating to that charge, she is
excused."

Andrea glanced at Diana who nodded, then smiling brightly, she thanked
the panel for listening and left the room.

"Eventually, I will call witness that will speak directly to the charge
you refer to. Right now, since you have allowed massive testimony
against me that had nothing to do with the specific charge you keep
referring to, I mean to respond to all of those allegations.

"You wrote me a letter which I have here, saying that the hearing would
not be conducted with strict rules. You stated that I could present
anything that I deemed important and that is what I am doing. And, in
a much briefer manner than you have presented the evidence against me.
I'll remind you that you allowed plenty of hearsay testimony when your
witnesses were testifying."

Henry let out an exasperated breath, turned toward the panel and said,
"I think we'd better break for lunch and discuss how much of this
irrelevant material we are prepared to listen to. We also will have to
consider having Ann Biggot testify and bring Lyle back. We cannot let
these unsubstantiated charges stand."

At the word lunch, the stenographer packed up her gear with alacrity
and headed out the door closely followed by Trenchant. No words were
exchanged this time, just a mutual groan of relief at their escape.

Chapter 18

Lunch was again catered to the upstairs witnesses' waiting room. A
rather pensive panel gathered around the table to help themselves to
sandwiches, fruit, cookies and a beverage.

Henry had the floor and continued to speak while they were getting
their food. "There is a limit as to how much of this insignificant
twaddle we should allow."

"I agree," Frank Anuse said, firmly. "We should tell her that we will
hear no more testimony from these witnesses of hers unless it bears on
the specific charge--she did write and submit those evaluations. The
document examiner was certain of it."

"Well, I don't agree," Jane spoke sharply. "